Patrick Ness. Image courtesy of Walker Books Australia

The author of the acclaimed Chaos Walking trilogy, Patrick Ness, will be visiting Australia and New Zealand shortly (his tour schedule is at the end of this post), so it seems like the right time to find out a little more about him as the focus of today’s Tuesday Spotlight.

About Patrick Ness

• His website contains a diary, biography, list of books, events and engagements
• As Booktrust’s first writer in residence, his pages on this site includes a residence blog, a new story which is a prequel to the series, writing tips, interviews and a lesson guide for The Knife of Never Letting Go.
• Patrick Ness (Contemporary Writers)
• Patrick Ness Author Page (Waterstones) with podcasts and extracts
• Patrick Ness (Wikipedia) Needs a lot of work. Takers?
• CMIS Authors and Illustrators: Patrick Ness

Books

• The Crash of Hennington (2002)
• Topics About Which I Know Nothing (2005)
• The Knife of Never Letting Go (Chaos Walking; Book 1) (2008)
• The Ask and the Answer (Chaos Walking; Book 2) (2009)
• Monsters of Men (Chaos Walking; Book 3) (2010)

Extracts

• Chapter One from The Knife of Never Letting Go (The Guardian)
• The New World (short story prequel to the Chaos Walking series) 23-page pdf
• The Ask and the Answer (The Guardian)

Teaching Notes

• The Knife of Never Letting Go (written by teacher Helen Gray for Booktrust) pdf
• The Ask and the Answer – reading guide. (Booktrust) pdf

Reviews

• Fiction Focus review – The Knife of Never Letting Go
• Frank Cottrell Boyce on The Knife of Never Letting Go (The Guardian)
• Reader Reviews from the Booktrust site The Knife of Never Letting Go
• Fiction Focus review – The Ask and the Answer
• Adele at Persnickety Snark – The Ask and the Answer
• Create Readers – The Ask and the Answer

Book trailer – The Knife of Never Letting Go

Interviews

• A recent Twitter interview, facilitated by book store Waterstones, can be accessed by using the hashtag #patrickness
• Booktrust interview on winning the 2008 Teenage Book Prize
• Television interview from Ireland’s Buzz program. Video
• Meet the Author (BBC) – scroll right down to a video interview about The Ask and the Answer
• WriteAway interview (pdf)
• Interview on winning the Guardian Children’s Book prize (mp3)
• An interview from 2009 The Hay Festival (with other authors Philip Ardagh, Tanya Landman and John Fardell) (mp3)
• Q & A with Patrick Ness (Publishers Weekly)

Articles

• Patrick Ness beats established writers to Booktrust teenage prize (The Guardian – 18 November 2008)
• Julia Eccleshare celebrates The Knife of Never Letting Go (The Guardian – 27 September 2008)

Awards

• Winner Costa Children’s Book Award (2010) – The Ask and the Answer
• Shortlist Booktrust Teenage Prize (2009) – The Ask and the Answer
• Shortlist Carnegie Medal (2009) – The Knife of Never Letting Go
• Winner Booktrust Teenage Prize (2008) – The Knife of Never Letting Go
• Winner Guardian Children’s Book Prize (2008) – The Knife of Never Letting Go
• Winner James Tiptee Jr Award (2008) – The Knife of Never Letting Go

Other

• The Guardian’s profile page on Patrick Ness that collates his reviews of other people’s writing

2010 Tour Schedule of Australia and New Zealand

• WA:  25 – 28 February
  Appearing at Perth Writers Festival at various times; see program on link. Venue: University of WA, Nedlands

• Victoria: 3 March
  Venue: Deakin University Library, 3rd level, Waterfront Campus, Deakin University
  Gheringhap St, Geelong
  Time: 5.30 – 7.30pm
  Bookings ph: 1300 360 436
  4 March
  Reading the Future – co-presentation with author Isobelle Carmody
  Venue: State Library of Victoria, Melbourne
  Times: Session 1 starts 10am
  Session 2 starts 1pm
  Details
  Bookings email: learning@slv.vic.gov.au
  Ph: 03 8664 7555
  5 March
  Venue: Ferntree Gully Library & Community Centre, Eastern Regional Library Services – Dandenong Ranges, Victoria
  Time: 10.30am – 11.45am
  For Bookings ph: Ferntree Gully Library (03) 9294 8140

• NSW: 9 March
  Venue: The University of Sydney, Lecture Theatre 351, Education Building, Manning Rd, Sydney
  Time: 6.00pm – 7.30pm
  For bookings email: marketingwba@walkerbooks.com.au
  Ph: (02) 9517 9577

• New Zealand – Wellington only: 11 March
  Venue: Scots College, Monorghan Rd. Strathmore
  Time: 1:30pm
  Bookings: The Children’s Bookshop
  Patrick Ness will also be appearing on TVNZ Good Morning on 11 March

• Queensland: 15 March
  Venue: Queensland University of Technology
  Lecture Room N515, Kelvin Grove Campus, Brisbane
  Time: 6.30 – 7.30pm
  For bookings email: ci.publiclectures@qut.edu.au
  Ph: 07 3138 5466
  17 – 19 March
  Appearing at Somerset Writers Festival – Gold Coast
  Somerset College, Somerset Drive
  Mudgeeraba Qld
  Online bookings and enquiries

Monsters of Men will be published in Australia, UK and Ireland in May, and in the US and Canada in September.

* Also quote from the Booktrust account of the 2008 win: Although Ness did not set out to write for teenagers, he’s glad that the book went in the direction it did. Teenage readers, he believes, provide an author with both challenges and opportunities.

Household names might include Deborah Ellis or Tim Wynne Jones but we know far less about what else is happening in north of the US border than we should. And with the eyes of the world on Vancouver in coming weeks as the 2010 Winter Olympic Games get underway, let’s make a few amends.

Awards are a good starting place:

• The most prestigious appear to be the Governor General’s Literary Awards, administered by the Canadian Council for the Arts. The ‘Children’s Literature’ categories are split between text and illustration, French and English, and do not appear to have an age qualification. The 2009 winner for a book in French was Harvey (graphic novel)  by Hervé Bouchard, illustrated by Janice Nadeau, which for the first time in awards’  history took out both prizes. Caroline Pignat was the winner of the book written in English for Greener Grass, a YA title.
• The Canadian Library Association’s  YA Book Award 2009 shortlist includes novels by Sarah N. Harvey, Shelley Hrdlitschka, Marthe Jocelyn, Melanie Little, Carrie Mac, Sharon E. McKay, Donna Milner, Caroline Pignat (profile), Allan Stratton and Mariko Tamaki. Carrie Mac and Mariko Tamaki we know for The Beckoners (2007) and Skim (2009) respectively (which is the shortlisted book for these awards). But the others? Not so much. There is one title by Marthe Jocelyn in our database, Mable Riley (2004)  and one by Allan Stratton (Chanda’s Secrets, 2004).  Chanda’s Wars is his shortlisted title for 2009.

And then there are those authors we read and enjoy but might forget are Canadian: Kenneth Oppel, Gordon Korman and looking backwards, L.M. Montgomery.

Find out more:

• CANSCAIP : The Canadian Scoiety of Children’s Authors, Illustrators and Performers
• Michael Thorn, editor of Achuka has Canada tags on his Achokablog
• How Novel, the Canadian YA database of the Saskatoon Public Library
• Google Directory of Canadian YA authors (scant, and Yahoo’s, scanter).
• There does not appear to be a specific Wikipedia article on Canadian YA Literature, but please let us know if you find / start one

They say travel broadens the mind. Reading probably more so. So here’s a start, just in case you can’t make it to Vancouver.

Canadian flag image used under Creative Commons Licence.

The Canadian National Anthem: O Canada

In its February update, Papertigers has announced the Spirit of Papertigers project (an initiative of Pacific Rim Voices) , which aims to place 100 sets of seven carefully selected books into needy libraries and schools across the region.

Quick to acknowledge the work of other organisations that also bring books into the hands of readers who might otherwise never see them (IBBY for example), PT aims to complement such outreach.

The seven books selected for the first set look wonderful, and for anyone interested in multicultural children’s literature, well worth perusing:

The central criterion in the mind of the selection panel was to give special recognition to books that, in addition to meeting conventional standards for excellence, will also contribute to PaperTigers’ broader aims of bridging cultures and opening minds, and of promoting greater understanding and empathy among young people from different backgrounds, countries, and ethnicities. Another criterion was that books selected had to be in English, or bilingual publications where one of the two languages is English.

The Papertigers blog will be posting feedback from recipient schools and libraries.

It’s worth taking a few minutes to read about the project and to find out a bit more about some lovely books from overseas.

Postscript: 5 February: Spirit of Papertigers and Haiti

Image courtesy of Allen and Unwin

Last year we experimented with regular Tuesday posts on book trailers that we dubbed ‘Trailer Tuesday’. We were reasonably discerning about the titles we featured but as the year wore on it became more and more difficult to find just what we were looking for.

So in 2010 we are broadening the scope a little and will focus on a different author each Tuesday. And if there happens to be a suitable trailer we will certainly include it.

The series begins with perhaps one of our most prolific writers. It’s likely that only Jackie French would exceed Margaret Wild‘ s output. Between writing and collecting awards,  it’s no wonder she doesn’t have time for a website of her own. But we have done the digging and put together a few links that might help us all to know this writer a little better.

Margaret Wild does collaboration really well. As the one who puts the words behind so many award-winning picture books, there can be few Australian illustrators with whom she hasn’t worked. Although many of her books are for a much younger audience than Fiction Focus usually caters for, her work also embraces YA and her crafting of story is worthy of attention by everyone.

Woolvs in the Sitee

Biography

• CMIS Author Pages – Margaret Wild
• La Trobe University’s Children’s and Young Adult Literature pages – Margaret Wild
• Biography, bibliography, reference list and overview of Margaret Wild’s work – Sidelights
• Wikipedia – as usual, it’s always worth seeing if your students can add to this entry
• Unattributed overview from Answers.com – comprehensive to 2002

Interviews

• An interview with Margaret Wild and Mem Fox. Life Matters ABC Radio. 1 March 2007. (Podcast)

Scholarly

• A Guide to the Margaret Wild Papers – Lu Rees Archive, University of Canberra (42 page pdf file)

Select Book list and resources

• CMIS annotated catalogue entries of books by Margaret Wild
  
• Fox (2000) – picture book illustrated by Ron Brooks
  Fiction Focus review
  Teaching notes by Janet Anderson – Allen and Unwin
  Performance notes for a production by Monkey Baa Theatre. Sydney’s Seymour Street Theatre will premiere this production on April 10, 2010. The production will tour other states during the year.
• Jinx (2001) YA verse novel
  Fiction Focus review
  Browse inside (Simon & Schuster)
  Teaching notes by Dr Wendy Michaels -  Allen and Unwin
• Let the Celebrations Begin (1991, out of print) – picture book illustrated by Julie Vivas
  Review from La Trobe University
  Reviews from Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal
• One Night (2003) YA verse novel
  Fiction Focus review
  Teacher reviews (Allen and Unwin)
• Woolvs in the Sitee (2006) – picture book illustrated by Ann Spudvilas
  Fiction Focus review
  Review – PaperTigers
  Collation of reviews from Front Street Books (US)
  Teaching notes by Dr Pam Macintyre (Penguin Books)
  Part of a longer article, The Art of Communication, (on picture books for older readers)  in Australian Book Review by Stephanie Owen Reeder

CBCA Awards*

• 1985 – Shortlist CBCA Picture Book of the Year – There’s a Sea in My Bedroom (illustrated by Jane Tanner)
• 1987 – Shortlist CBCA Picture Book of the Year – Creatures in the Beard (illustrated by Margaret Power)
• 1989 – Shortlist CBCA Picture Book of the Year – Mr Nick’s Knitting (illustrated by Dee Huxley)
• 1990 – Winner CBCA Picture Book of the Year – The Very Best of Friends (illustrated by Julie Vivas)
• 1992 – Shortlist CBCA Picture Book of the Year – Let the Celebrations Begin (illustrated by Julie Vivas)
• 1994 – Shortlist CBCA Picture Book of the Year – Toby (illustrated by Noela Young)
• 1996 – Shortlist CBCA Picture Book of the Year – Old Pig (illustrated by Ron Brooks)
• 1997 – Honour Book CBCA Picture Book of the Year – The Midnight Gang (illustrated by Ann  James)
• 2000 – Winner CBCA Picture Book of the Year – Jenny Angel (illustrated by Anne Spudvilas)
• 2001 – Winner CBCA Picture Book of the Year – Fox (illustrated by Ron Brooks). See link for other awards for this title.
• 2001 – Shortlist CBCA Book of the Year (Early Childhood) – Nighty Night (illustrated by Kerry Argent)
• 2001 – Shortlist CBCA Picture Book of the Year – Nighty Night (illustrated by Kerry Argent)
• 2003 – Shortlist CBCA Book of the Year (Older Readers) – Jinx
• 2004 – Shortlist CBCA Book of the Year (Early Childhood) – Baby Boomsticks (illustrated by David Legge)
• 2004 – Notable Book CBCA Book of the Year (Older Readers) – One Night
• 2004 – Notable Book CBCA Picture Book of the Year – Baby Boomsticks (illustrated by David Legge)
• 2004 – Shortlist CBCA Book of the Year (Early Childhood) – Little Humpty (illustrated by Ann James)
• 2004 – Notable Book CBCA Picture Book of the Year  – Little Humpty (illustrated by Ann James)
• 2005 – Notable Book CBCA Book of the Year (Early Childhood) – Piglet and Mama (illustrated by Stephen Michael King)
• 2005 – Shortlist CBCA Book of the Year (Early Childhood) – Seven More Sleeps (illustrated by Donna Rawlins)
• 2005 – Notable Book CBCA Book of the Year (Early Childhood) – Too Many Monkeys (illustrated by Sally Rippin)
• 2007 – Honour Book CBCA Picture Book of the Year – Woolvs in the Sitee (illustrated by Anne Spudvilas)
• 2007 – Honour Book CBCA Book of the Year (Early Childhood) – Chatterbox (illustrated by Deborah Niland)
• 2007 – Notable Book CBCA Book of the Year (Early Childhood) – Bobbie Dazzler (illustrated by Janine Dawson)
• 2008 – Shortlist CBCA Book of the Year (Early Childhood) – Lucy Goosey (illustrated by Ann James)
• 2008 – Notable Book CBCA Picture Book of the Year – Lucy Goosey (illustrated by Ann James)
• 2008 – Notable Book CBCA Book of the Year (Early Childhood) – Piglet and Papa ((illustrated by Stephen Michael King)
• 2008 – Notable Book CBCA Book of the Year (Early Childhood) – Ruby Roars (illustrated by Kerry Argent)
• 2009 – Shortlist CBCA Book of the Year (Early Childhood) – Puffling (illustrated by Julie Vivas)
• 2009 – Notable Book CBCA Picture Book of the Year – Puffling (illustrated by Julie Vivas)
• 2009 – Notable Book CBCA Book of the Year (Early Childhood) – Baby Bird’s Blankie (illustrated by Gwyn Perkins)
• 2009 – Notable Book CBCA Book of the Year (Early Childhood) – The Pocket Dogs go on Holiday (illustrated by Stephen Michael King)

* The CBCA website is currently updating lists of Notable books prior to 2003, so not all Notable Awards can be located at this time.

This reclusive author has done much to bring the love of books and reading to many, many readers. She is the recipient of the 2008 Nan Chauncy Award for services to children’s literature and a Centenary Medal (2001) for service to Australian society and literature. She is also a national treasure, even if it’s not Official.

Thanks to Ruth over at Skerricks, we learn that the Rosemary Sutcliff classic, The Eagle of the Ninth, is in film post production, with a July release forthcoming.

OUP calls it ‘one of the most outstanding children’s books of the twentieth century’ so let’s hope the film does it justice. We’ll keep our eyes peeled for the trailer.

The image of the legionary fortress at Isca Silurum is used under Creative Commons licence and is the work of electropod on flickr.

And now, its creator, J.D. Salinger is gone. The notoriously reclusive writer passed away overnight at the age of 91 and the tributes are flowing.

Here’s John Green:

And here’s The Guardian obituary. RIP.

The diverse landcape of this country makes a road trip a wonderful experience.  Capturing a sense of place in fiction is important, so we have selected one title that seems to represent the setting of each area well.  Most are YA, others have been published for an adult market but can be certainly be enjoyed by YA readers.

• Northern Territory – Brown Skin Blue (2009)- Belinda Jeffrey. A powerful novel about identity, set in Humpty Doo.
• New South Wales – Raw Blue (2009)- Kirsty Eagar. The northern beaches of Sydney, the surf, a secret. And a strong female protagonist.
• Queensland – Christine Bongers‘ first novel Dust (2009) evokes the remoteness of outback Queensland in the 70s.
• South Australia – Try Don Henderson’s well-observed Keepinitreal (2009) for an urban take on South Australian life.
• Tasmania – Wanting (2009),  Richard Flanagan’s award-winning historical novel that weaves the stories of Mathinna, Lord and Lady Franklin and Charles Dickens into one compelling narrative, will be enjoyed by keen readers in the older age group.
• Victoria – Beatle Meets Destiny (2009) – Gabrielle Williams. A crazy romance against a Melbourne backdrop.
• Western Australia – can’t go past an older one here. It has to be Winton and it has to be Cloudstreet (1991. Yes, really).

Sorry ACT people – we can’t think of anything other than politics. Or Anthony Eaton because he lives there now. Please send some suggestions. The Nest (2009) by Paul Jennings is set in the high country, but it’s Victoria’s high country.

For an interstate experience, Philip Gwynne is back on the YA scene as he takes us from Sydney to Uluru in Swerve (2009).

Of course there are plenty of older titles. Let us know your favourites. Comments welcome: Which Australian novel captures a strong sense of place for you and why?

Happy Australia Day.

Image used under Creative Commons licence.

The awards are still being announced as we type, but the really important ones come early in the program, so we are happy to announce:

• Children’s Illustrated Work / Picture Book : Victor’s Challenge (Pamela Freeman and Kim Gamble)
• Children’s Novel : A Ghost in My Suitcase (Gabrielle Wang)
• Young Adult Short Story: Seventeen (Cat Sparks)
• Young Adult Novel: Leviathan (Scott Westerfeld)
• Illustrated Book / Graphic Novel: Scarygirl (Nathan Jurevicius)

Congratulations to you all.

Winners in all categories will soon be on the Aurealis site.

Justine Larbalestier’s Liar is a fascinating read. It seems to be one of those titles that divides opinion into clear love and not-so-love camps. Who knows what Micah has been really up to?

So if you have read Liar, or intend reading it, promoting it in your library or using it in your classroom you, and your students, are invited to visit the  LIAR: creating collective truth blog, created by CMIS staff.

Users can leave comments about Liar and read comments left by others. (Comments will be moderated.)

As comments are left on the blog we will create wordles and post them on the blog’s wordles page to build a visual representation of readers’ responses to the novel. You are welcome to use these wordles in your literature programs.

We would appreciate your participation at this early stage so we can trial the system and build an initial collection of resources before teachers and students return to school. Please feel free to leave feedback on the blog and share this information with others who may be interested in participating.

Coming to the Liar blog soon:

• Tips on using wordle and other online tools to support literature in learning.
• An rss feed for ‘What’s new?’

The blog already has a Teaching Resources page for useful links to resources about Liar.

Come and join us in the tangled web that is Liar.

Our previous post tells you who is vying for the YA crown and also links to the contenders in the other categories. This strong YA list is sure to have kept the judges up late into the night deciding the winner.